24 year old female...3 days post-op

[babygirl63368 0]

Well today is the 3rd day after surgery and I am feeling better than the 1st two days but defenitly far from 100%. The pain from gas has been pretty bad...even with walking and gas drops. I have also had pain in my one larger incision. Otherwise Im pretty good, just tired which is to be expected. Can't eat the broth because it makes me gag just thinking about it. so Ive basically been drinking juice and gatorade cut by half, and eatign Jello. I am super hungry probably because Im not getting enough because Im scared to over do it. I dont know what full feels liek now because I'm to scared to get there. I go for a follow-up on tuesday so we'll take it from there. I am open to suggestions of any kind. I would also love to hear from women around my age, to see how their surgery was and how they felt afterward.

[project lisa 1]

the broth made me gag too-

I use regular campbells chicken noodle Soup and just drain the juice then heat it up -- eating only 1 oz at a time- it's very salty and much better than chicken broth.< /p>

[jennifer1 180]

i lived off propel Water, crystal light, broth and SF popcicles. hang in there it gets better!

[Birinak 19]

Well today is the 3rd day after surgery and I am feeling better than the 1st two days but defenitly far from 100%. The pain from gas has been pretty bad...even with walking and gas drops. I have also had pain in my one larger incision. Otherwise Im pretty good, just tired which is to be expected. Can't eat the broth because it makes me gag just thinking about it. so Ive basically been drinking juice and gatorade cut by half, and eatign Jello. I am super hungry probably because Im not getting enough because Im scared to over do it. I dont know what full feels liek now because I'm to scared to get there. I go for a follow-up on tuesday so we'll take it from there. I am open to suggestions of any kind. I would also love to hear from women around my age, to see how their surgery was and how they felt afterward.

Hey there, I'm also 24 years old (1986). Your post-op experience is pretty normal. Some people claim that gas drops/strips etc. help with gas pain, but I personally think that the treatment may just be having a placebo effect on that minority. The pain that people feel even a week or two after surgery is usually what is called "referred pain" in the left shoulder, which is actually really coming from an issue at the band-site (and not the intestines nor the left shoulder). Gas strips and walking would be able to help with gas trapped inside the intestines, but not with the left-shoulder pains that afflict many bandsters post-op. I also felt more pain at the larger incision, which is the site of the port. Even now, 9 months after surgery, it's still a tiny bit sore when I press down on the scar.

I didn't mind broth on the first day, but I couldn't stand it by the next. You just have to stick through it until the thick liquids phase. Then, you'll have many more things to eat (i.e. strained and blended Soups like lentil and cream of mushroom, or fruit/protein shakes). For now, maybe expand your list of fruit juices (as long as they're clear liquids). How about V8? Have you tried any other kinds of broths, such as vegetable broth?

You shouldn't have to worry about over-doing your portions if you're following the guidelines that should've been given to you by your band-practitioner. I think about half a cup (maybe even a cup, I don't quite remember) is usually permitted. At this stage, your pouch should be able to accomodate a relatively large amount compared to later on in the process (after several fills). Just stick to the list of permitted foods, eat slowly, and be reasonable about your portions.

The feeling of fullness with the band is somewhat different than before, but it's nothing to fear. Plus, right now, you're only consuming liquids. If you eat slowly, it would be difficult to get that stuck feeling on liquids. Just after surgery, you likely don't have a very tight band since you've had no fills (except for some in surgery, possibly). Your band probably feels tighter now than it will in a month, but that's because of swelling from surgery.

Especially if you're consuming enough food, you'll soon regain your energy. Many people go back to work after a week or less. I still had some shoulder pain two weeks after surgery, especially each time I ate food, but I was largely recovered by then.

Hope you feel better soon and make sure to ask your practitioner about how much you should be eating at each stage.

[carymom 4]

the broth made me gag too-

I use regular campbells chicken noodle Soup and just drain the juice then heat it up -- eating only 1 oz at a time- it's very salty and much better than chicken broth.< /p>

Paul Enochs - recommended Isopure from GNC to me. It is 80% Protein - maybe that will help the hunger. I have not had anything but that and Water since surgery (yesterday).

[carymom 4]

Paul Enochs - recommended Isopure from GNC to me. It is 80% Protein - maybe that will help the hunger. I have not had anything but that and Water since surgery (yesterday).

[babygirl63368 0]

Thanks for the suggestions and support it really means a lot!

[Anewcrystal4life 0]

How are you coming along now months after surgery ? I get mines by dr epochs october 13th